Prof. Xavier Barcons, Renowned Astrophysicist and ESO Director General, Will Visit Vilnius University

On 14 June, renowned astrophysicist and Director General of the European Southern Observatory (ESO), Professor Xavier Barcons, will visit Vilnius University (VU).

At 10:00, the Professor will open the exhibition "Un Universo de Luz" of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) at the VU central premises (Universiteto g. 3), and at 10:30 he will give a public lecture under the title of "ESO: 60 Years of Astronomy Breakthroughs and Looking Forward". Later, the astrophysicist will visit the Vilnius University Astronomical Observatory.

"Professor Xavier Barcons is one of the most prominent astrophysicists, so his visit and attention are very important for Vilnius University. I am delighted that such a visit can strengthen our scientific ties and make the impressive achievements and prospects of astronomical science more widely known to the scientific community and the public. These links are complemented by the opportunity for our students to listen to a lecture and talk to a prominent figure in astrophysics," said the Pro-Rector for Research, prof. Edita Sužiedėlienė.

Prof. Barcons’ research has been focused on astronomy at X-ray wavelengths and, until the late 1990s, Quasi-Stellar Object absorption lines and the intergalactic medium. He has both participated in and led a number of research projects, some of which have provided the backbone for XMM-Newton surveys. His interests have unveiled obscured Active Galactic Nuclei (AGN) in the distant Universe, the evolution of the AGN population and the apparent mismatch between the X-ray and optical views of AGN.

In the late 1980s, he started the first X-ray astronomy group in Spain, which has been a partner in many international collaborations and consortia. His group is now engaged in, and even leading, various programmes that have obtained large amounts of observing time with a number of observing facilities to better understand the nature of AGN and their relationship with galaxy formation.

Much of Barcons’ efforts have been directed towards pursuing large projects, beginning as a co-investigator with the XMM-Newton Survey Science Centre in 1996. He has actively pushed for large X-ray observatory missions, including XEUS, and, most recently, ESA’s Athena mission.

Prof. X. Barcons is a Spanish astrophysicist who has been Director General of ESO since 2017. He received his bachelor’s and master’s degrees in physical sciences from the University of Barcelona in 1981. He was awarded a PhD in statistical physics in 1985 from the University of Cantabria, Spain. Barcons has authored more than 250 peer-reviewed articles and conference papers and has presented more than 100 papers at international conferences and symposia.

Before becoming ESO Director General, Barcons served with ESO in many different roles, including ESO Council President from 2012–2014. He has dedicated significant effort to helping progress major ESO projects, including the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) and the Extremely Large Telescope (ELT), approved during his ESO Council President mandate.

10.00 - Opening of the exhibition "Un Universo de Luz" of the Spanish National Research Council (CSIC) at the VU central premises (Universiteto g. 3).10.30 - Lecture "ESO: 60 years of astronomy breakthroughs and looking forward", at the University's Central Hall (Aula Parva).